Wangan Midnight

On the Wangan Midnight road a high school racer named Akio Asakura loses a famous street duel to Tatsuya Shima, owner of the unstoppable Blackbird. Seeking redemption, Akio salvages a battered first generation Datsun Z from a junkyard and breathes new life into it. The machine carries a heavy bad luck aura, with accidents and whispers about a cursed legacy that fuels the nickname Devil Z. In parallel, Reina Akikawa, a fashion model who also loves speed, brings her tuned Nissan Skyline GT-R into the same fierce rivalry. Together they chase pride, danger, and the thrill that only midnight street racing can offer. The ride is as much about identity as velocity, and the tension rarely lets go anymore.

Released in 2007 as an animated TV series, Wangan Midnight marks a new chapter for the franchise. The series draws on the Wangan Midnight property created by Michiharu Kusunoki and Nobuaki Kishima, though a director’s name isn’t provided in the available data.

According to available records, the series did not receive major nominations from the Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes, or other top awards circuits. It exists within a niche of racing anime that has a dedicated fanbase but limited mainstream recognition, particularly outside Japan.

While not a household name, Wangan Midnight has a niche appeal among car culture fans. The Devil Z and Blackbird rivalries echo in fan discussions, model kits, and driving simulations, making the show a talking point for enthusiasts who love street racing mythos and the romance of forbidden speed.

Reception has been mixed, reflected in a 5.6 out of 10 average from a small audience. The show foregrounds themes of obsession with speed, rivalry, and the pull of danger, while exploring how legend and personal pride can blur the line between skill and luck, with harsh consequences.